The second package explosion Monday happened a few hours later, about five miles from the site of the first. This time, a 75-year-old woman stepped outside, picked up a package and it exploded on her porch. She survived but is in critical condition.

Police do not know if the victims were specifically targeted. However, the stepfather of the man killed on March 2nd is close friends with the grandfather of the 17-year-old killed in the first of Monday’s explosions.

“Police are not ruling this out as a potential hate crime.”

Both men, one a retired pastor, the other a dentist, are well known in Austin’s black community. Police are not ruling this out as a potential hate crime.

Austin’s interim police chief told the media that police see similarities among the three explosions and believe they are related. Austin Police are warning residents not to touch any suspicious packages.

So far, police have not released any information about suspects or motivation. They do not believe the attacks are tied to the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference currently underway in Austin, which draws tens of thousands of visitors annually.

Investigators don’t believe the packages were delivered by the Post Office or other delivery services. They appear to have been left on people’s doorsteps overnight.

“Packages are killing people. We need to ban all packages.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

These explosions are absolutely tragic and the FBI will catch the vicious murderer behind them. But in light of another recent tragedy that has dominated the national conversation, it’s apparent in this case that packages are dangerous and we have to do something.